Elkhart Firefighter accused of harassment

ELKHART -- An Elkhart firefighter has been placed on paid administrative leave because of accusations he sexually harassed a female colleague between December 2005 and April 2006. In a written letter presented to the Elkhart Board of Public Safety, Elkhart Fire Chief Richard Snell requested that charges be brought against Lt. Scott Smeltzer for:

Entering the women's restroom on several occasions while a female firefighter was using the facilities.

Exposing his genitals to a female firefighter.

Making unwelcome physical contact with a female firefighter.

Repeatedly commenting about parts of a female firefighter's body.

Making unwelcome sexual advances with the use of vulgar language.

Looking through the space between two lockers into the female firefighter's sleeping quarters and commenting that he could see her undressing.

In a Board of Public Safety meeting Tuesday, a tentative hearing date of Jan. 3 was set in the case. Now it's up to Smeltzer to decide whether he wants to accept that date. If Smeltzer is found guilty, he could be terminated, Snell wrote.Staff writer Yonika Willis: ywillis@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6556